Tensions Rise During Vardenis Council Meeting

The newly elected council of Vardenis was supposed to hold its first session today, but moments before it even began, a dispute erupted among council members.

It is noteworthy that in the local elections held on December 5, the 'Civil Contract' party secured 13 mandates, the 'Aharon Khachatryan' alliance received 10, and 'Unified Vardenis' obtained 4 mandates. The opposition forces had signed a memorandum to form a coalition after the elections, which already allowed them enough votes to elect a mayor.

Before the meeting, a confrontation occurred between the acting mayor Aram Melkonyan, who is also the candidate from the 'Civil Contract' party, and Karen Mkrtchyan from the 'Aharon Khachatryan' alliance. Aram Melkonyan left the municipality but assured that the 'Civil Contract' party would nominate a candidate.

It should be noted that the 'Civil Contract' party holds 13 mandates in the 27-member council, which is not sufficient to elect a mayor.